Bucs Claim RB Rainey

Tampa Bay claimed second-year RB Bobby Rainey off waivers from the Cleveland Browns on Monday after learning that RB Doug Martin is likely to miss at least the next game

With lead back Doug Martin likely to be sidelined for Thursday night's game against the Carolina Panthers, and perhaps longer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved quickly to shore up the depth in their backfield. On Monday afternoon, the team claimed second-year running back Bobby Rainey off waivers from the Cleveland Browns, waiving rookie wide receiver Skye Dawson to open a spot on the 53-man roster. The 5-8, 212-pound Rainey saw action in six games for the Browns this year, rushing 13 times for 34 yards and catching four passes for 19 yards. Rainey first entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012, splitting time during his rookie season between the practice squad, the active roster and injured reserve. He did not see any regular-season action in 2012 but went back to camp with the Ravens again this summer before being waived and subsequently claimed by the Browns.

-- RB Bobby Rainey ran for over 1,600 yards in each of his last two seasons at Western Kentucky

Rainey was one of the nation's top collegiate rushers during his last two seasons at Western Kentucky. As a junior in 2010, he led the nation in rushing attempts with 340 and finished third in yards with 1,649. With another 1,695 yards in 2011, Rainey became just the eighth player at an FBS school since 2000 to rush for more than 1,500 yards in two consecutive seasons, joining a list that also includes LaDainian Tomlinson, Ray Rice and Steven Jackson.

Rainey racked up 28 touchdowns during his last two years at WKU, earning Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors as a junior in 2010. Overall, he finished his collegiate career with 888 carries for 4,523 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Even if Martin is inactive as expected on Thursday night, the Bucs will now have three healthy tailbacks to take into action against the Panthers. Rookie Mike James is likely to shoulder the majority of the rushing load with help from veteran Brian Leonard and now, potentially, Rainey.